That which is out there, is a mere reflection of what lies within

It was the summer of 96’ and our meticulously planned trip to the North was breathing life at last.
We left home at 9.45 that night and after 15 hours of a rattling trains and deafening buses, reached Chandigarh.

As per my purple ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Journal, we spent the next 2 days sight seeing in Chandigarh.
From there it took us 5 hours and a million blind curves to reach Shimla, which looked nothing short of a Christmas Greeting. 2 hills and a waterfall later, we took off for Kullu, and its many temples.

Next stop was Manali- 25 miles from Kullu, a quaint hill station nestled in the Himalayas. Four layers of clothes were hardly any insulation against the cold winds which welcomed us here.
We went to the Tibetan Market that day and within 5 minutes of entering the second shop; I realized that my parents were no where in sight. I looked around the shop, out through the window, and inside a neighboring store but to no avail.
Even as the reality seeped in, my tiny six year old frame saw no fear in this plight. It simply seemed like I had entered one of my favorite stories.
I was wide-eyed, overdosed on children’s fiction, a true believer of fairy tales, and saw what lay ahead as one fine adventure. Not that I was searching for a rabbit hole or a vanishing cabinet, but I was sure that something amazing awaited me. And I was not disappointed.

Within the next few hours I met an old man who had to be Charlie Bucket’s Grandpa Joe and a freckled girl who could have been Lotta from Mr. Galliano’s circus. Mr. Twit with cornflakes in his beard asked me if I was lost, and fat bald Humpty Dumpty offered me a chocolate from the confectionery store.
And then I walked into an enchanting little tea shop, where I met my Fairy Godmother!
She caught me staring in awe at her Rapunzel locks and called me over. She had the most engaging temperament and when she asked me to check my pockets, I was sure it would be a magic trick.
And magic it was! What I found was no less than a treasure map. It was the tour plan according to which we would be at Rohtang Pass by 4pm.
We dashed past the tall deodars on her moped and before I knew it I was in mom’s arms, and at the ‘happily ever after’ of my little adventure.

We bought many souvenirs from North. Remnants lie cobwebbed in the attic. But what remains fresh as new, is the belief that whatever be the situation, some imagination, a positive predisposition and an ear to ear smile can get you through almost anything.